On social media, one video of a German child sharing sweets shows anti-refugee sentiments

Published September 13th, 2015 - 02:19 GMT
The German girl and her mother shared her treat with a newly arrived refugee child, an NBC journalist reported earlier this week. (Vine)
The German girl and her mother shared her treat with a newly arrived refugee child, an NBC journalist reported earlier this week. (Vine)

With the migrant crisis in the limelight, tragic stories of refugee journeys to Europe have been constantly circulating on the news cycle. Often the asylum seekers are met with mistreatments by security forces or, even worse, a camerawoman kicking them in the shins. 

So it's a relief to find some positive coverage for a change. Earlier this week social media users shared a Vine video of a German girl sharing her sweet with a newly arrived refugee child, and for some it became an example of how refugees should be treated.

Others, however, were not so understanding. On social media what should have become a symbol of hope for humanity became another reminder of anti-migrant sentiments that still exist. 

The moment was captured by NBC reporter Cassandra Vinograd, and it was quickly picked up on Twitter. 

Most people were touched by the video.

Others reacted negatively, in some unexpected ways.

In a lot of ways, Germany has provided an example of how the rest of the world should be treating asylum seekers. It's the European country that has accepted the most refugees by a long shot and said it would accept at least 500,000 refugees each year.

German newspapers have even welcomed refugees with Arabic translations of guides to migrant services. But maybe the best way to reflect the country's welcoming attitude toward refugees was a small gesture of two girls sharing a treat.

By Hayat Norimine

Tags:TwitterNBCPete KleinCassandra Vinograd
Loading content ...

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content
Subscribe Now